EBVD-DAC (European Biobank on Vascular Diseases’ Data Access Committee). The Biobank’s Data Access Committee has been established to objectively and systematically review the requests for data submission and access to VAS-EBVD resources. Collectively, the EBVD-DAC has overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with the VAS Policy. They are appointed for 5 year renewable terms. Each Member of the EBVD-DAC is required to supply the name of one Deputy who will be acting in his place in case the Member is not able to attend a meeting.The EBVD-DAC includes: VAS Scientific Coordinator; one VAS Management Team’s Referees; the VAS Management Team’s legal Expert for biobanking; the VAS-EBVD’s Quality Manager and the Coordinators of any single sub-project of the VAS-EBVD.

EBVD-CT (European Biobank on Vascular Diseases’ Coordinating Team). The EBVD-CT coordinates the enacting activities of the whole VAS-EBVD and of each sub-project (separate meeting can be arranged for any sub-project). In particular each CT is charge for the development of the protocols for the collection of data and biological samples for each sub-project of the VAS-EBVD. It details the samples to be collected, the preliminary processing and storage temperatures, the transport of samples to the central processing facility, and the processing, aliquoting and storage of each sample (which is summarised below). When a geographical location has been identified based on eligible population and one or more suitable assessment centre(s) facility needs to be established, the specific CT will be responsible for sourcing and securing each of the centre-facilities that are required. A mixed facilities model is intended: where suitable cost-effective academic facilities are available then these may be used, but otherwise it is up to the CT to find out the best solution for each Centre to collaborate. It also controls the activities of the centres working on any specific sub-project.The VAS-EBVD-CT is composed by: the members of the EBVD-DAC; the National project-coordinators; the representatives from the Biorepository and the Database (these private partners have no rights to vote).

VAS-ST (VAS - Vascular - Independent Research and Education - European Organization’s Scientific Team). It is responsible for screening and defining new proposals, monitoring the progress of current projects and defining development strategies for VAS. It is the decision-making body (subject to the limitations detailed elsewhere in this section) with regard to the single projects and the development of VAS.

In particular, referring to the VAS-EBVD the VAS-ST:

a) approved the institution of the VAS-EBVD and the general criteria listed in the VAS-EBVD’s Regulation (later approved by the Ethic and Guarantors Committees);b) approves any new sub-projects;c) defines the diffusion and implementation strategies;d) plans the integration of the VAS-EBVD and the other existing and planned projects from VAS - Vascular - Independent Research and Education - European Organization (e.g. educational, patient-organisation, awarness, etc…);e) ratifies the general criteria of collaboration and of data-exchange (included in the VAS-EBVD’s Regulation).

VAS-Guarantors Committee. It consists (like VAS-Ethics Commitee)mainly of researchers, teachers, representatives of the scientific and clinical community well-known for their intellectual independence and even if retired. It also includes a member from outside the scientific/cultural world (representative of patients’ organisation or similar). It judges whether the proposals are in line with the aims and the ethical premises of VAS.

VAS-Ethic Committee. It consists (like VAS-Guarantors Commitee)mainly of researchers, teachers, representatives of the scientific and clinical community well-known for their intellectual independence and even if retired. It evaluates each single project, in line with the aims of European Ethics Committees.